Flying a drone in winter - 5 rules you should know
Flying a drone in winter can be challenged by extreme conditions. Low temperatures can affect flight performance, and the weather can be very unpredictable. It is possible that you will encounter rain, fog or snow during your flight. So how to fly safely and take great photos during the winter months? Here are some safety tips and camera settings to keep in mind when flying a drone during the winter.
LiPo batteries
Use only fully charged batteries.
Heat the battery to approx. 20 degrees C or more. You can check the battery temperature on the DJI GO. Use "DJI heater" if it fits your equipment.
After launching the drone, do not fly up for approx. 1 min, just let it warm up.
Push the control rods gently to prevent a drop in battery voltage.
Batteries discharge faster at low temperatures. Always check your drone's battery status while flying.
Environment
Reduced visibility and wet snow can be a hidden danger behind photographing spectacular winter landscapes. It is important to take appropriate precautions.
Check weather conditions before flying your drone. Avoid strong winds, rain and snow.
Do not fly in temperatures below 0°C
Avoid contact with snow. Moisture can damage engines. An airstrip is recommended for taking off and landing the drone.
Make sure the GPS signal is strong.
Stay warm!
Have you ever had a mobile device unexpectedly shut down from the cold? As explained in the introduction, low temperatures can shorten the life of LiPo batteries. Therefore, when taking care of your smart batteries, don't forget to warm up your mobile device. In addition, beware of frostbite. Using a remote controller with numb hands is dangerous. It is a good idea to wear gloves when flying outside during the winter months.
Camera settings during winter- esposition and white balance
To capture the beauty of the snow, you need to manually adjust the camera exposure and white balance. Shooting in automatic mode may produce dark images. This is because the camera's exposure system can sometimes fail to detect snow due to its brightness. By adding additional stops, you may slightly overexpose your photos, but you will be adequately compensated for the snow photos. Similarly, you need to adjust the white balance accordingly to get the right color balance of the snow landscape. Otherwise, the snow may look gray.
LiPo battery storage
If the drone is idle for a long time, its performance may be affected. Proper storage is the key to safe flight.
Charge and discharge the battery once every three months to maintain battery charge status.
Remove propellers and fix gimbal clamp while storing drone.
Store the drone in a dry, non-magnetic place at a temperature of about 25°C
